NFL Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Potential Trades

Unlike other professional sports leagues, the NFL's trade deadline typically comes and goes without much actual movement. Perhaps due to the league's shortened offseason thanks to its lengthy lockout, there has been more buzz than usual surrounding the Oct. 18 deadline for trades.

Kyle Orton Likely Staying in Denver

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As if his play so far this season wasn't enough to deter potential trading partners, Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton's salary is apparently a huge stumbling block in any potential trade discussions.

Orton has been supplanted as the team's starting quarterback by Tim Tebow, and the majority of his $7.379 million base salary would have to be paid by any team acquiring him.

No sources around the league have come forward thinking Orton will be traded at this point, and the Broncos have to be kicking themselves for not working harder to move the 28-year-old this offseason when they had the chance.

Instead, they showed faith in Orton and it was a mistake, but hindsight is always 20-20. So far this year Orton has completed 91 of 155 passes (58.7 percent) for 979 yards, with eight touchdowns, seven interceptions and two fumbles.

His passer rating of 75.7 ranks him 28th out of 32 quarterbacks who qualify league-wide.

Expect Orton to spend the rest of the season in Denver as an extremely well-paid backup.

Carson Palmer Will Not Be Moved

Despite rumors that claim the Seattle Seahawks might be involved in acquiring him, the Cincinnati Bengals are almost certain not to trade quarterback Carson Palmer.

Bengals owner/general manager Mike Brown has said there are no discussions about trading his former franchise quarterback, and don't expect that to change over the next few days.

While you can debate all day long whether the Bengals would be smarter to move Palmer now and get something of value in return for him—an option that may not be available in a few months—Brown seems content to let the two-time Pro Bowler sit at home.

If Palmer is ever going to be traded, it will likely come this March when the 2012 offseason officially starts. Until then, expect the 2002 Heisman Trophy winner to stay in semi-retirement.

Reggie Wayne Isn't Going Anywhere

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Earlier in the day, Adam Schefter was on ESPN discussing potential trades that he would explore but may not actually happen.

The Internet almost exploded when he suggested the Indianapolis Colts send receiver Reggie Wayne to the Buffalo Bills for a fourth-round draft pick. I like Mr. Schefter and think he does a very nice job, but that might be the most ludicrous thing I've ever heard.

The Colts haven't indicated a willingness to move Wayne at all, and none of us should expect that to happen. While the team is having a very disappointing season, the organization hasn't shown that it is ready to start selling off assets.

Wayne is a five-time Pro Bowler who is well-liked in the community and has been a rock for the franchise.

Since the 2005 season, the Miami product has caught 566 passes for 7,639 yards and 46 touchdowns. That's an average of 94.3 catches, 1,273.2 yards and 7.67 touchdowns per season.

Wayne is 32 but really hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. If Peyton Manning were healthy, his top receiver would likely be headed for another Pro Bowl season. No way would the Colts part with him, and certainly not for only a fourth-round pick.

More Peyton Hillis Trade Speculation

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Last week, NBC Sports' Gregg Rosenthal suggested that Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis could request a trade soon if his contract situation is not resolved. Hillis and the team are currently negotiating a new deal while he plays, making just $600,000 this season.

Given the production level Hillis is capable of, he does deserve a hefty raise. But the Arkansas product was unhappy with his light workload in the team's Week 4 loss to the Tennessee Titans (he had just 15 touches) and is clearly frustrated with the ongoing contract negotiations.

Last season the "Madden 12" cover boy was one of the NFL's breakout stars. He rushed for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns on 270 carries, and added 477 yards and two more scores on 61 receptions. He proved he can be a workhorse back and something the franchise can build on.

I don't see Hillis demanding a trade, though I'm sure it has crossed his mind with the way this season has gone. The Browns would be wise to lock their big running back up as soon as possible and feed him the ball more to avoid any possible public ugliness.

Hillis has said he wants to play his whole career in Cleveland, and the Browns should do whatever it takes to make that a possibility.

Could Eagles Land D.J. Williams and Brian Dawkins from Broncos?

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Another trade Adam Schefter speculated on during his time on SportsCenter was a potential deal between the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. In Schefter's scenario, the Eagles would offer a third-round pick in the 2012 draft in exchange for safety Brian Dawkins and linebacker D.J. Williams.

While I'm sure Eagles fans would love this deal, I doubt it has any chance of happening. The Broncos would essentially be gutting their defense to acquire a mid-round draft pick in what looks to be a relatively weak draft defensively.

Philadelphia desperately needs help at linebacker, and Dawkins might provide a lift to a secondary that has under-performed, but the Eagles would likely have to give up more than just a third-rounder to land those two players.

The 38-year old Dawkins is owed $6 million in 2012 and 2013 before he'll hit free agency in 2014. That makes him a pricey pickup for a guy his age. Meanwhile the 29-year-old Williams is due $11 million over the next two seasons before he also hits free agency in 2014.

Bottom line, the Eagles would be adding a lot of salary to their ledger and the Broncos would be giving up way too much for just a third-round pick. While speculating is fun, don't expect this one to actually happen.